Australian pair appointed to the Caribbean Premier League

John Ward and Mick Martell will feature as the only two international umpires in the 2015 CPLT20

Australian National Umpire Panel members Mick Martell and John Ward have been selected to officiate in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament (CPL T20).

The pair are the only internationally appointed umpires to the third edition of the tournament.

Cricket Australia Match Officials Manager Sean Easey said the appointments of the two Australians pays tribute to the hard work and commitment of the whole Australian panel.

“The appointment of Mick and John to the tournament is wonderful recognition of their strong performances and reputation on field, and is a great opportunity for them to prove their wares in an international setting,” Mr Easey said.

“It is also a great testament to our umpiring pathway that a domestic tournament of this calibre is looking to the Australian shores for umpires’.

The pair will be challenged when standing in a new environment whilst experiencing a rigorous schedule, travelling between countries Barbados; St Kitts; St Lucia; Jamaica; Trinidad and Guyana during their four-week, 16-match stint.

However, umpiring on foreign soil is nothing new for the pair, with Martell making his One-Day International debut in New Zealand as part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 qualifiers in January 2014. Likewise, Ward was appointed to the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup qualifiers in Dubai in November 2013.

Both umpires have also participated in international umpire exchange programs to countries including New Zealand, South Africa and India in the past. Martell completed the most recent exchange overseas in October 2014, standing in two Duleep Trophy Finals in India.

The past 12 months have been busy for the entire National Umpire Panel, with the Australia A Series commencing in Brisbane in early July 2014 and not drawing to a close until mid-April 2015 in Western Australia for the Under 19 International Series.

Martell and Ward travel to the West Indies this week on the back of successful 2014-15 seasons in Australia. Martell made his KFC T20 International debut in November and was appointed to both the KFC T20 Big Bash League and Sheffield Shield Finals.

Meanwhile Ward stood in the Australia A versus India A Final in Darwin and the Matador One-Day Cup Final in Sydney. Both umpires were also appointed to the two One-Day Series’ in Australia over the busy summer, involving South Africa, England and India.